The other big lesson from Katrina is that it pays to be prepared. But it's also very difficult to stay prepared because the longer you go between events the more you'll see complacency.

We as a global community are only as strong as our weakest link.

Emergency rooms are closed, many hospital wards are as well leaving people who are sick with heart disease, trauma, pregnancy complications, pneumonia, malaria and all the everyday health emergencies with nowhere to go.

Looking at the individuals who suffered the most during the hurricane, you could see that those with underlying medical problems were at greater risk.

The other big lesson from Katrina is that it pays to be prepared. But it's also very difficult to stay prepared because the longer you go between events the more you'll see complacency.

You can't put a price tag on preparation for a pandemic.

It's critically important that people trust you during a public health crisis.